Infertility, both in males and females has become quite prevalent across the globe and India is no exception.

WHO indicates that out of four couples at least one has been found to be affected by infertility in developing countries.

Going by the numbers 60 to 80 million couples across the globe at present are undergoing infertility problems.

It varies across regions of the world and is estimated to affect 8 to 12% of couples across the globe. In India, the overall occurrence of primary infertility ranges between 3.9% and 16.8%.

In our country, male infertility is mainly overlooked while women are held responsible and face a lot of social stigma for not being capable to bear children. The need of the hour is, therefore, to give equal importance to male infertility and create awareness about the condition.

The World Health Organisation describes infertility as a disease in the reproductive system which means failure to conceive even after 12 months or more of regular sexual intercourse.

It can also, be explained as a failure of a couple to conceive after 12 months of regular intercourse without the use of contraception in women who are less than 35 years, and after 6 months of regular intercourse without the use of contraception in women who are more than 35 years.

One must visit a specialist without further delay, especially if the couple is over 35 as conceive naturally and must go in for counselling.

Rather than leaving to fate, one should seek timely help which may prove beneficial for the couple as fertility declines with age.

Also when we talk of infertility it can be due to any reason such as tubes oligospermia, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, male factor infertility owing to poor sperm concentration or sperm motility, females suffering from ovulation disorders, premature ovarian failure, uterine fibroids, genetic disorder major cervical mucus hostility factors. So infertility in both males and females are common today.

Also talking specifically of infertility in men has increased in India many folds due to the wrong habits and poor lifestyle. In fact, it is a serious problem of the modern-day lifestyle that people are adopting. Listed below are a few reasons which can make a man infertile.

If you are a chain smoker, remember that tobacco may affect your fertility.

Smoking is known to lower sperm count.

Second-hand smoke also affects male fertility. Male smokers can experience poor sperm quality with decreased mobility and it boosts the numbers of abnormally shaped sperm. Moreover, if you are a chain smoker it may also decrease the sperm’s ability to fertilise eggs.

3. Excessive stress

Stress comes with many problems that may also affect your sexual health. Doing yoga and meditation can be a helpful way to overcome this problem.

4. Hormonal imbalance

We all know that hormones play a vital role in maintaining one's sexual health.

In males, fat cells produce estrogen, so by any chance, if it gets affected it will lead to harsh complications for your sexual health.

Moreover, thyroxin which is a no- sex hormone can also affect your sex hormones.

5. Harsh fitness regime

Harsh exercise regime could decrease sperm count by lowering the amount of testosterone in the body of the male.

Also, men should keep off from steroids as it can cause testicular shrinkage and infertility as a consequence.

6. Being overweight

In men being overweight happens to decrease the semen parameters.

Overweight men often face decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.

7. Serious health conditions

Chronic diseases such as kidney-related diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer are some of the never-ending disorders which severely impact the sexual health of the person.

Therefore male factor contributes to approximately just as much that is 30% to known causes of infertility.

All those couples who have been trying for a while, do not overlook the male infertility factor.

Dr Ranjeeta Gupta is senior consultant (obstetrics and gynaecology), fertility specialist, reproductive medicine and IVF at Medicheck Group of Hospitals, Faridabad. She can be contacted on ga@rediff-inc.com.